Product Description
Luna Interactive Projection Camera;Three technology tools in one, yet so affordable! Easy-to-use digital projection camera is also a web cam and photo/video camera. Great for students’ multimedia projects across the curriculum or whole-class demonstration of manipulatives in action, book pages, science models and more. Document student progress for assessment, then upload files to digital portfolios or share with other educators or parents. Connects via USB port to use with your PC (XP, Vista, Win7) or interactive whiteboard. Boosts students’ 21st-century skills and helps you reach beyond traditional teaching methods. Features 3.0 MP digital images, adjustable gooseneck, auto focus, LED light, internal microphone and SEN switch (adaptation for students with special needs). Measures 20 InchesH. Grades K–12;LER 4400 $189.99;
| List Price: | $199.99 |
| Price: |
$141.16 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
| as of Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:43:51 GMT ***Remember, deals price on this item for sale just for limited time*** | |
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #3120 in Office Product
- Color: Multi
- Brand: Learning Resources
- Model: LER4400
- Published on: 2011-02-01
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 3.60" h x 8.50" w x 10.10" l, 2.43 pounds
Features
- Also a web cam and photo/video camera
- Connects via USB port to use with your PC (XP, Vista, Win7) or interactive whiteboard
- Features 3.0 MP digital images, adjustable gooseneck, auto focus, LED light, internal microphone and SEN switch for students with special needs
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful.
By J. Murray
As webmaster and an active tech teacher, I am sometimes asked to review products for my readers. Since I don't work for the company doing the asking and receive no compensation (other than the product), I am able to provide an unbiased review of my experiences and conclusions based on the 400 students I teach. Recently, I had the opportunity to review Learning Resource's Luna(tm) Interactive Projection Camera. I don't have a document camera in my classroom and there are times when I would trade all the chocolate in my snack drawer for the ability to share a 3D object or picture with students. So, when Learning Resource's marketing group asked, I quickly agreed. The box arrived containing the projection camera, a CD with the Easi-View software, and a few pages of documentation (very very brief).
The projection camera is a lightweight, gooseneck contraption exactly like the inset shows. It has a sturdy base that includes a snapshot button, a light and the microphone, and a wide head that holds the camera. I wanted to test the intuitiveness of installation so rather than read the directions, I just jumped in. The cord was obviously for a USB port, so I popped that into my computer, loaded the CD and started. Easy-view installed quickly with no hitches.
I didn't have a lot of time to play, so decided to experiment as the need arose. In most cases, the process was easy to figure out, and worked as I hoped it would. Here's a run down of how I used the Luna during the first two weeks:
* I took a picture of a magazine page, saved it to a file folder and shared it with students on my smartscreen.
* The art teacher wanted to document her student artwork. We slipped the sometimes bulky projects under the camera, took a picture and saved it to student digital portfolios. No problems.
* I wanted to share a video with teachers on how to create email distribution lists. I twisted the gooseneck so the camera faced my screen, narrated the steps while I performed them and saved the video to our school internal Moodle site. Yes, I could have done this with Jing (for free), but then I wouldn't retain control of the resulting video. And, I wanted to see how this sort of documentation worked with my new toy.
* One of the kindergarten teachers borrowed it to create a video on how to use a set of manipulatives, then played it on her smartscreen for students to replicate
* Part of my tech training for 5th graders is problem solving. I taped students solving a variety of problems and uploaded them to a resource page that all grades could access. The students enjoyed making the movies and loved the idea of a library of problem solutions.
* I had a non-techie teacher use the Luna to share a poem with her students. For those more comfortable with computers, this could have been done by typing the poem in Word, then displaying it on the smartscreen, but this teacher was less intimidated by being able to put the poem under Luna's camera and have it show up on the screen. She even pointed out parts of the poem with her finger that students should pay special attention to.
* Here's my favorite: The same non-techie teacher I mentioned above had the most amazing use of Luna I've seen. Using the Luna document camera to share live action, she put her hand inside a newly-carved pumpkin during our school chapel to show the assembly how the inside of the pumpkin was tangled and mushy (she tied that into man's journey, but it's a long story I'll save for later). This came across on Luna as no video could do--seeing her fingers squish through the stringy, squishy, seedy insides. The entire kindergarten eewed in unison!
I did find one drawback to the Luna. Despite its intuitive nature, I think a bit more documentation would be welcome. It took me some effort to figure out the web camera, and I didn't know what the extra pluggy thing on the cord was because I didn't understand the terminology in the booklet. I googled Luna, found a video from the manufacturer on Amazon, got quite excited (I thought I'd found the answer to all my questions), but it covered only basics. A demonstration of Luna's web camera and mic for teachers who aren't as tech savvy as others would be welcome.
Overall, I found it a great value for the price. Comparable document cameras are twice as much. This served my needs just fine. Anyone have feedback of your own to share? I'd love to hear.
Note to readers: Luna has a special needs option, but I had no occasion to use it so I can't report on its effectiveness.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
By Teacher of Students
Yesterday morning my partner-teachers and I all gathered around my computer and watched the little video clip in the product description. We were excited so I decided to do some more research. There were very few reviews anywhere on the internet but I saw an example video of it on Youtube under it's other name "Easi-View" and was impressed with the clear capture of the moving image. I was the brave one who decided to purchase it; splurging for overnight shipping of course (we teachers are an impatient bunch). The price was a nice middle ground compared to other document cameras in this class so I expected a decent quality product.
The good: It works great with direct overhead lighting. The image easily compares to the high end document projectors I am used to using. I set the preview resolution to mjpg 2048x1536 so it fills the screen on my widescreen laptop. There is very little delay with movement under the camera in a well lit setting. It doesn't auto focus like some of the fancier models so I don't have to worry about the image constantly trying to refocus every time I turn a page in a book. If I set it up on a box or other tall object it projects just as clear as when it's closer to the object. I was able to fit a large 10inx12in book OPENED (that's 20inx24in!) clearly by setting it on the box it came with! The USB is permanently attached to it so I never have to worry about losing the cord!
The bad: The LEDs aren't particularly helpful. They don't make much light and I actually found that it works better without the LEDs on using only the lighting in my room. It feels flimsy and with the neck extended forward to get a closer view it feels unstable. I fixed that by putting the object on a small platform to bring it closer to the lens rather than pulling the lens down to object.
The UGLY: It has absolutely horrible performance in low light settings. It is nearly impossible to use in low light, even with the LEDs turned on. There is so much motion blur that even the slightest movement makes the projected image completely worthless. (However I found that even the high end projectors I've used have this problem.)
The verdict: Because I will be using it in a well lit classroom I am satisfied with the performance. I love that it can be raised on a makeshift platform to capture a huge image without having to be terrified that it will be destroyed if it tips over. It's lightweight and has a simple appearance. My husband actually asked "Why do you need a desk lamp when you have the kitchen light turned on?" It looks and feels less "scary" than the high end document projectors we have used in the past. It's portable so I can easily loan it to my neighboring teachers without worrying about dropping it or jostling it too much. I can see teachers who have little or no technological experience using it easily and often. I also see letting my elementary aged students use it to show their work off and have a fun way to work on the board! My 3 & 5 year old sons have been playing with it for the last half hour. They've been practicing their writing and drawing and are amazed that this little "lamp" is a camera! It's a good buy for a teacher or a district on a budget.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
By Ginger
I actually have a document camera in my classroom and I love it because there are sooooo many amazing things you can do with them! But, I must say, Learning Resources' Luna Interactive Projector is flippin' amazing! My document camera takes up way too much table space, but this little gem is small and versatile.
It not only functions as a projector, but it is also a web cam and takes pictures and videos! How nifty is that!? All the while needing NO batteries!
This projector is great for so many different things including:
Making Words
Demonstrating handwriting and cursive
Showing books/textbooks
Modeling writing and other activities
Using manipulatives for math
Displaying homework/classwork
Checking homework/classwork
Demonstrating science experiments
I can't even list them all, but you would definitely want one of these in your classroom!
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